Page 31 of Ride the Lightning

“How long does it usually take you to bust a cheater?” Jonah asked.

“A day, maybe two.”

“I think you know what the right answer is, Rocky. You’ve tailed her for a week, and there is no evidence she’s having an affair. Give him back some of his retainer if your conscience bothers you.”

“Fucking Boy Scout,” Rocky groused. “You’re right. I’ll just go home and watch my favorite Randy Dagger videos until Felix the Attention Whore gets his beauty sleep.”

Jonah laughed. “Sounds like a plan. Talk to you later, Rocky.”

“See you, J.”

Jonah wouldn’t call Felix an attention whore as Rocky had, but the reporter didn’t shy away from the spotlight. He certainly had no qualms about going headlong into the fray, and it seemed like he’d done this without consideration to how it impacted Jonah. Rather than let his irritation fester and grow, Jonah decided to stay busy by doing things around the house. Unfortunately, his brain raced despite his best efforts. On the bright side, he had organized closets, clean bathrooms, freshly laundered and ironed clothes for work, and had a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator. He played music, audiobooks, and favorite podcasts, but nothing held his attention for long.

By the time Felix woke from his beauty sleep and called him, Jonah had worked himself into a tangled knot of frustration.

“What happened to us discussing the information in the file before deciding how to proceed?” Jonah asked.

“I know, Jonah. I’m used to working alone and got carried away. It’s a piss-poor excuse, and I’m sorry,” Felix said. Jonah heard the sincerity in his voice. “When I suggested the three of us work together on Sinister in Savannah, I truly meant the three of us had equal roles and stakes in the podcast. This isn’t the Felix Franklin show.”

“You’ve already been there and done that,” Jonah quipped.

Felix laughed. “True, but I sincerely enjoy working with the two of you more than researching and recording podcasts by myself. I just need you guys to give me a bit of a learning curve. I’ll do better. I promise.”

“Fine. Why don’t you guys come over for barbecue tonight, and we can discuss where we go from here.”

“Sounds like an excellent plan. I’m starving,” Felix said.

“Perfect. Now you get to call Rocky and eat crow while you invite him to dinner.”

Felix moaned. “You want me to apologize more than once today?”

“If you truly meant what you said about us being a team, then yes.”

“He’ll take it better from you,” Felix countered.

“Probably, but I’m not the one who owes him an apology.”

“You’re such a fucking Boy Scout, Jonah.”

Jonah chuckled. “That’s nicer than what Rocky called you.”

“What did the sleazy bastard—”

Jonah hung up on Felix before he could finish asking his question. He felt much better after working things out with his friend and decided to give Felix the benefit of the doubt. A few hours later, Jonah could hear his two podcast partners squabbling on the porch before either of them knocked. In fact, they were so involved in calling each other names, they didn’t hear him open the door.

“I meant what I said. You’re an attention whore,” Rocky told Felix.

Felix snorted. “Maybe I am,Major. Let’s not pretend you’ve never gotten your hands dirty.”

“Major?” Jonah asked, startling them both. “Is it short for Major Pain in the Ass, or are you terrible at insults, Felix?”

Felix rolled his eyes. “It’s Rocky’s first name.”

Jonah looked at Rocky. “Really?”

The private investigator heaved a sigh. “Give me a beer, and I’ll tell you the story.”

“You’ve already told Felix?” Jonah asked. “And he’s your nemesis.”